an invisible population: college students coming from the foster care system christina bluck...
TRANSCRIPT
An Invisible Population: College Students Coming From the
Foster Care System
Christina Bluck
Northern Arizona University
Overview of Presentation
Why this topicQuizOverview of the Foster Care SystemGetting Ready for CollegeStarting CollegeChallenges Once at CollegeThe Importance of MentorsModel ProgramsWhat Academic Advisors Can Do
Why this topic?
Background Information
How much do you know???
Quiz Time!
Quiz Answers
1. What is the approximate number of youth who emancipate from the foster care system each year?
Answer choice C: 24,000
Quiz Answers
2. Percentage of children in foster care who complete high school.
Answer Choice A: 50%
Quiz Answers
3. Percentage of former foster youth who enroll in college
Answer Choice A: 10%
Quiz Answers
4. Approximate number of children and youth in foster care on any given day.
Answer Choice D: 513,000
Of these, 95,000 were between the ages of 16-18
Quiz Answers
5. Percentage of former foster youth who graduate from a 4 year college.
Answer choice A: 2-4%
General Overview of the Foster Care System
Children are placed in foster care because of– Physical Abuse– Emotional Abuse– Sexual Abuse– Neglect – Death of Parent
General Overview of the Foster Care System (Continued)
Support for former foster youth often ends on their 18th birthday.
Negative perceptions of youth in foster care
Video Clip
Common Backgrounds of Foster Care Children/Youth
Quotes
Movie Clip
Preparation For College
Very Limited
Financial aid is available for this population, but not easy to find or access.
Movie Clip
Video Clip
Emancipation
The process which a foster youth goes through to no longer be a ward of the state.
Age depends on state and preference of the youth.– Usually between 18-21
Quotes
Video Clip
Starting College
Residence Hall = A New Home
Most foster kids never thought they’d make it to college.
Starting College (Continued)
No Home to Go Back to
Fear and uncertainty
Video Clip
College Struggles
Like Risa, many former foster children struggle their first semester of college
Often not identified by student affairs professionals
Lack of mentoring on campus
Many lack basic knowledge about college
Many do not have a strong academic background
Financial struggles are common
Video Clip
Mental Health Concerns
Long term effects of abuse and neglect– Trust Issues
Video Clip
Adult Role Models and Mentors
Very important for college success
Some have never had a positive role model or person who they can connect with prior to college
The Difference a Mentor Can Make
Academic Advisors Can Serve as Mentors to Former Foster
Youth
Model Programs
California State University Fullerton Guardian Scholars Program– Pays all tuition and fees– Special orientation program– Year round on-campus Housing– Guaranteed on-campus employment– Individual Counseling– Required bi-monthly meetings with program director– Peer mentoring– Faculty mentoring– Post graduation career planning and assistance
Model Programs (Continued)
There are other specialized programs across the nation as well– San Francisco State University– Austin Community College– Cal State East Bay– Sam Houston State University– University of California, Davis,– Western Michigan University– Sacramento State University
More programs and services are needed for these students
What We Can Do To Support These Students
Don’t make assumptions– Many students from foster care will not self identify
Know that “at risk” services often don’t meet all the needs of these students
Be there for these students; serve as a mentor and role model
Connect students to campus resources
Educate others on campus that students from foster care are on our campuses
What we can do to Support these Students
Parents weekend– Not assuming that all students have parents
Some “common sense” questions for most people are very pressing for this population of students.
Hopeful Comments About this Population of students
Quotes
More and more states are providing educational assistance (Sheehy, et al., 2000).– 33 states help youth pursue post-secondary education– 21 states provide tuition aid or scholarships– 20 states help students pay for other educational expenses (books,
room & board, etc.)
References
See handout
Questions???